Oakland, CA — The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting the livelihoods of Oaklanders, especially older adults and low-income families. Providing access to food and nutritious meals are top priorities to help solve the issue of food insecurity during the ongoing heath crisis.
For those who are in need of food within Oakland, the City has set up www.oaklandca.gov/food that pinpoints locations* where one can be connected to food. Through its ongoing partnership with World Central Kitchen (WCK), the City has ramped up its food distribution effort and is pleased to announce an expansion of the Great Plates Delivered program.
Through partnership with FEMA, the State of California and WCK, the City’s Great Plates Delivered initiative provides up to 12 meals per week for qualifying seniors who meet the qualifying criteria (listed below). Disaster Service Workers – City staff deployed to support the initiative – will deliver four (4) meals, three (3) times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to those who qualify. Each delivery will include two (2) lunches and two (2) dinners to help sustain residents Monday-Saturday.
Seniors can apply to join the program by clicking the “apply” link available on www.oaklandca.gov/greatplates. They can also call 510-238-FOOD (3663) or email greatplates@oaklandca.gov. City staff will respond within one-to-two business days. Language support in Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Arabic is available.
The meals provided through Great Plates Delivered are prepared by local Oakland restaurants, identified and vetted by WCK, which have experienced low patronage due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants interested in supporting the program can apply through www.oaklandca.gov/greatplates.
The Great Plates Delivered pilot program was initiated last week, with meals delivered to almost 100 senior households identified through the Great Oakland Check-in and continues to grow this week. The Great Oakland Check-in, coordinated by the Mayor’s office, is an intentional process to reach out to Oakland’s most vulnerable seniors and families, particularly those impacted by the digital divide and other barriers to City services. Disaster Service Workers and volunteers aim to call hundreds of Oaklanders per week to evaluate needs and connect people to vital City services.
In addition, the City has added three additional food distribution points at neighborhood branches of the Oakland Public Library. There are no eligibility requirements to receive food:
- 81st
Ave Branch (1021 81st Ave.)
- Free meal pickup, in partnership with World Central Kitchen
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 12-2 PM
- Cesar Chavez Branch (3301 E. 12th St.)
- Free meal pickup, in partnership with World Central Kitchen
- Tuesday, Thursday; 12–2 PM
- West Oakland Branch (1801 Adeline St.)
- Free produce bag pickup, in partnership with Alameda County Food Bank
- Tuesday, Thursday; 12-2 PM
This latest initiative boosts the tremendous effort to feed our most vulnerable residents since the onset of the pandemic in mid-March. Over 25,000 meals are now being distributed weekly through the City’s Transitional Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs, unsheltered and encampment outreach, community cabin and RV safe parking programs, Head Start centers, Aging and Adult Services, and libraries. In addition, as of May 7, the Oakland Unified School District had provided over 1.5 million meals to Oakland families.
“Every Oaklander deserves to know where their next meal will come from,” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said. “I’m grateful and proud that our City has partnered with trusted organizations to create an unprecedented food delivery service to reach our Oakland’s most vulnerable residents and particularly our seniors. Along with new free food distribution sites, we will continue to work to alleviate the stress and burden of food insecurity in our community.”
The City is accepting donations and is interested in recruiting volunteers to help support the Great Oakland Check-in. Visit How to Help Oaklanders for more information.
Qualifying criteria for the City of Oakland’s Great Plates Delivered program:
- Meet age requirements:
- 65 or older, or
- Age 60-64 and at high-risk by the CDC
- 60 years or older and tested positive for COVID-19 and do not require hospitalization but need isolation or quarantine
- 60 years or older and was exposed to COVID-19 and do not require hospitalization but need isolation or quarantine
- Live alone or with one other program-eligible adult
- Are not currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs like CalFresh/Snap or Meals on Wheels
- Earn less than $74,940 (single) or $101,460 (2-person)
- Live in the City of Oakland
* List is not exhaustive. If you know of an additional food site, please email greatplates@oaklandca.gov
About World Central Kitchen’s COVID-19 Relief Efforts
World Central Kitchen is a team of food first responders, mobilizing with the urgency of now to get meals to those who need them most. We’re activating hundreds of restaurants and kitchens to feed marginalized and vulnerable communities and our brave medical professionals on the front lines, in order to make a meaningful impact in the fight to keep everyone fed, and to support the distressed restaurant industry. We know that a nourishing meal in a time of crisis is so much more than a plate of food – it's hope, it’s dignity, it’s a sign that someone cares about you and that you are not alone. Visit www.wck.org
for more information.